REVIEW: The Norco Torrent S1 vs. 50 Year Trail's Steep Slabs
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- čas přidán 23. 06. 2021
- The 2021 Norco Torrent is a rad little bike on paper. Today we take a first look at it and see what sets it apart. I'm so excited to finally have this bike on the channel, it's been a long time coming.
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The gopro effect is real on this video. These slabs are steeper than 45* . The torrent really came alive in this steep terrain. I've never felt so confident on these sections before.
Such great riding skills, you are making the trail look super easy.
seeing how you ride those HT’s are insane.. no flashy tricks just speed and technical riding..
Great review as always!
My son and I watch your reviews together a lot. He is 5 and just got off training wheels. He asked me to tell you he is really looking forward to joining Hardtail Party when he is able to ride more trails.
That climb up the slab was shocking. Shockingly impressive
Hardtail party on my favorite trail network... Never clicked play faster
5:19 was a solid climb!!! You make the slabs on the downhill look easy too!
Straight up! Your technical skills are so fun to watch! Some of those drops were super steep, you hit it hard and made it look easy! Thanks again for all your hard work! It’s refreshing to hear how much you started liking the Torrent, you made the bike earn your review. That’s authentic cycling journalism! Thanks Steve!
Great review! Love my steel torrent. It’s exactly how you described. A fast and nimble tank.
Great review Steve. You offer such detailed information about a bike. That trail looked amazing and you handled it all. Thanks for the review.
Thanks so much. This is one of my all-time favorite trails.
Great review! I really love my torrent S2 it's reinvigorated my riding significantly. I'm actually running a mullet set up now and even though you'd think it would be a bit slack and unweildy it's actually made it even more fun in my opinion. Might be worth a try while you have it. The cornering is so fun now
Another awesome review, and great riding too!
I tested a bike with a 160mm Lyrik Ultimate a couple years ago, loved that fork. The small bump sensitivity was amazing.
I was nodding along with the review, right up to the bit where you said "Torrent aluminium version."
Now can't wait to hear about that one!
Great review, your comments/observations on how it descends, pedals, etc are all spot on in my experience. This one is a keeper IMO despite the flaws and a great PNW bike.
You have mad riding skills! Another great review. I've been waiting for your thoughts on the Torrent for a while and I'm glad Norco sent you a bike. I love mine, I don't mind the weight as my local area has steep chunky terrain, so whilst it's slow going up it's great fun descending. Last year I took it down to Thredbo bike park in Australia and it was awesome fun. Interested to see what you think about the Alu version.
Great review as always, Steve 👍
Great looking trail! I have had the same experience with RS vs Fox forks with respect to support. On a trail like that one, I would have to turn the compression knob at least a couple of clicks to keep Fox forks from diving into holes. RS seem to stay supportive without have to mess with compression settings mid ride. Thanks for the great review!
Great review Steve, sounds like the weight of the bike 34 pounds is the only thing holding it back!!! Having said that your point being it’s best to point it downhill and go!!! Fun to see a new trail!!! 👍👍👍
The AL Torrent is pretty good, but I think the cable routing will annoy you on it as well. Mentioned it in the first impressions video, but it sounds like a blender bottle when descending anything chattery or technical. The geometry is on point however, and it does have just that little bit more snappiness than a steel hardtail gives you. The A2 is the better buy of the two specs they offer IMO with the Zeron 35 coil, 4 piston tektros, and the 1x11 deore with the 51t cassette, probably beats out the 35 gold, 4p deore brakes, and 12 speed deore on the A1 despite the $450 price increase to the A1.
Thanks for this!! I’m looking at an A2 as well!!
Geo is great on this bike, tall bb didn't hinder it's cornering, very compliant but heavy frame. Bike feels super muted and makes you feel slower than the bike is actually going. Thats what I felt from the lap I did with it at the bike park. It will do anything you ask it to do no questions asked. Jumps surprisingly well too.
Love mine! Currently set up with 140mm Fox 36 and 27.5+ Minions front and back. Great for my local trails in Aus. Mullet set-up may be coming soon though
love the video and what a beast of a bike, i'm guessing them Funky gloves just make the ride that bit easier too. Awesome stuff.
Late comment to your video. Just wanted to write a quick line saying thanks! I have been riding a FS (27.5 Trance) for a few years now and decided up update/upgrade my old hardtail (Norco Sasquatch) I’ve had for years to something modern. Settled on the Aluminum Torrent braised on your channel/review of the Steel version and generally reviews on slack hardtails. I couldn’t be happier!
Glad my videos helped..congrats on a rad bike.
Thanks Steve for the review, i was blown away with the Lyrik also , its on another level.What was your set up on it ?
I'm here for this one!
Some of those rock slabs look crazy steep.. Loved the review and agree with your overall assessment of the Torrent. Awesome bike but the weight tips the scales a bit. I wonder how much a lightweight wheelset would help this bike out 🤔
That trail looks awesome
I have the 2021 S2. Mine comes in at 34.4lbs. My first real Mtn bike in 20yrs. So far I like it, a bit pricey, a bit heavy, but it gets me out to enjoy the trails and gets my heart rate up.
I guess with the steep seat angle, the weight gets bearable, right? It may be heavy but you’re always in a comfy position to pedal along
@@VentoRdrummeR for sure. I have a lot of up and downs, punchy climbs. It stays in control and doesn’t feel sketchy on the downhills, so I can carrying nice speed to help with the climbs. When I run out of speed I can raise the seat and just power through almost anything.
Lion's back at 3:52! First time I rode 50 year with Daniel, I tried and botched it. I rode it by myself in January and cleared it. It felt soooo good!
Nice work! This video does not do these features justice.
Love it! Thank you.
Sweet!! My home turf. The riding out here is always so good and offers so much.
I absolutely love it out there. I wish they'd make a few more trails out there, because it's some of my favorite riding on the planet.
@@hardtailparty bring some shovels cause I'm always down 🤙. Have you hit Mt Lemmon? Lots of black diamond trails up there or back in Dove Mt. Also Tucson is just surrounded by great bike trails. I'm hoping to have a new custom built hardtail next year for some epic fun and bike packing on the AZ trail. It's all thanks to your channel that my eyes are opened again to just how amazing hardtails can be. Plus you really teach people how important geo numbers are and how you should size for a bike and your trails. Keep up the amazing work you do for the cycling community 🤙
@@buckroger6456 I've ridden bug down. I used to spend every winter in Tucson, so I've ridden most of the stuff there, except for the top of lemon.
Can’t wait for the Aluminum Torrent review. 🤙🏼
I searched for a frame kit only, but no luck....
It took a year to get this one in for review. Sadly i don't have a lead on an aluminum one. :(
G’day great review! And some truly excellent riding. Have you had a chance to ride the Ali Torrent? Keen to see how you think it compares.
Can you do a Whyte 905 or trek roscoe 8? If given the chance?
I’ve been looking around for a 27.5 hardtail and I’m struggling at choosing between the trek roscoe 8 or the Whyte 905
so sick seeing this on the hardtail, 50 year is awesome
one of my favorite trails of all time
Seems like a great bike!
Thanks to this vid I pulled the trigger.
Did a custom build, using a 160 DVO shock with a 51mm offset to keep the climbing precise.
Like the ESD, rootdown and a few others... theses enduro bike that happen to be a hardtail
Pedaling - "downside": if you look at frame weight alone, these (Torrent/ESD) aren't much worse than any alloy Endro (Knolly, Commencal, Slash). In fact with no rear sag, but rather Fork Sag, the 76 STA is steeper than just about anything out there. Pedaling any Enduro bike, even the latest in offering from Santa Cruz or Specialized will never have that "snappy" XC feeling.
I think it comes down to the build in order to make the Torrent or ESD a usable single quiver bike. To "trail" out my bike I chose to use Performance Hans Hamph 2.35 tires rather than say double down 2.5 Maxxis Assigi or DHFs, and put on some lightweight carbon Turbine R wheels wth vault axels ,instead of Affects... full XT driveline, including the latest 4 pot brakes also keeps the weight as light as possible. With the light wheels, trail casing tires, light hub and XT cassette, the unsprung weight has made this bike come alive.
When it comes down to the dropper... for my height at 6'0 and a 32 inseam, I can run a 175 reverb no problems.
I run this bike. Nothing is factory and a 170mil lyric. Maybe a bit much, but it tanks through everything I point it at. Love it. But keep your trail bike when you want a more XC experience. This bike is slower, but only when you are running it out of it's element.
I have an older 2016 torrent that I built myself with a 150mm DVO diamond fork and 2.8 tires and it weighs 31.8 lbs
Mate, please please please do the Alu version's review, love your channel and can't wait to see that review.
That's up to norco. It took almost 2 years to get the steel one in for review. I'm not holding my breath for the aluminum one anytime soon.
I was wondering what size bike that is and how tall you are.Im in the cusp of the medium large debacle at 5'9" and 3/4 tall.
I have a Norco FS2 but have an RSD Sergeant on the way. We’ll see which rides better.
What size bike are you riding? I'm thinking of buying this, I'm 5'6 and there's a medium available where I live.
Love that bike
Steve, I tried to spot the prickly pear I gracefully crashed into last time on that trail, lol. I hope to be a patron soon :)
Thanks for taking out one more prickly pear from this trail. :)
Sorry to have missed you! Would love to see you out at 50 Year sometime, but I also need to check out Sedona.
I post my meetups on Instagram. In fact, a few hours before I filmed this, we had a Tucson meetup here with about 15 people.
Love my Torrent
I wonder if the dive issue is a little negated by the fixed slack issue on the 2020+ models, making the 150mm travel feel a little better now?
140 is probably still a better compromise if we talk about design decisions, as 150 is more on the upper end. Maaaaybe 160 if we consider the 38mm stanchion forks too, but that's even more of an edge case.
I own the s2 model ; i must say i also think it's kinda heavy. but i never felt this much in control during techy downhills on a hardtail. And its also hard to turn tight corners at low speed as its a pretty long bike.
For tight corners at low speed, try getting forward more and really leaning the bike. It's definitely a new-school geo bike that likes a new school riding position.
@@hardtailparty thumbs up for that, it took me a fair amount of time to get used to this bike but when learn to lean on that wonderful fork more you'll see that it doesn't wander side to side as much in slow speed. You always have to keep weight on that front end because it's super long and slack in the front, and short in the back.
What a beauty! How does this rack up the the Finnish bad boy Taival? Thanks for the great content!
I knew it was a special bike. Missed out three times on an aluminum version. I’ll have to make due with the Middle child aluminum frame I ordered.
The middle child will be far better than "making due." You're going to love that thing.
I was joking with making due lol. I can’t wait to build it up and ride it
My friend just got an Orange P7. Really cool bike. I live on Lamma Island in Hong Kong and we have some chunky technical trails here. Similar in some ways to Sedona.
Have the 2018 norco torrent ht 2 in aluminum, still chunky but all around great bike👍🏼 you should review one
I've ridden one before, but not on the channel. Bikes have come a long way since then.
I know you are a fan of short chainstays for its more lively and snappy ride. Just wondering if you find the ride smoother at the backend on bikes with longer chainstays, especially on rougher terrain
It depends on the bike. Some long chainstay bikes feel more supple and some don't.
Steve I think you should get one of those lyriks and keep as a test fork, it might change your opinion on under forking bikes down to 130. I have one on an RSD middle child and before it was on that bike I had it on a Kona Hanzo ESD and love it on both bikes. I have ran the RSD from 130 all the way to 150 and the 150 lyrik feels the best so far, The fork stays high in its travel with good support so you forget it’s a long travel fork until you blast through a rocky section a little too fast and that extra travel is just enough absorption to maintain good control, on the front anyway, lol still a Hardtail. I’d like to see you do a video throwing that fork on your middle child and see if you get the same results that I did.
I wish I had the budget for one, it's a great fork. 130mm isn't THAT much less than 150mm. I've ridden the MC with a 140mm fork before, and while I like it, the 130mm suits my local trails better. I prefer a little zippier hardtail than just a smash machine. That said, the MC is incredibly versatile and can be built up so many great ways.
Can you review the new orange P7. Similar bike to that
Hi, what size torrent is this and how tall are you?
Is the norco fluid ht a decent bike? Looking at getting one as its the only bike in stock at LBS
Sounds like you'd be an excellent candidate for my bike consultation service on Patreon.
How does it compare to the Switch9er?
I'm always surprised of what you ride in hardtails it makes me think if I really need that FS in my trails not as technicals as the ones you ride
I say that to all my friends in TX. Most are way overbiked.
What felt more playful the meta hardtail or the torrent?
What a beautiful trail!!!! Mmmm, short chainstays!!!!
man, I wish there's a follow cam so we can see you shredding this sick trail!
I need to start putting cameras on my friends.
Agreed. Love to watch the riding
Sr suntour durolux or Rockshox yari?
Almost the perfect bike if not for those cables.
Hi!
Been watching your videos for a long time and now ive decided to switch from fatbike to hardtail. The problem is i cant choose a bike.
I ride bike parks aswell trails, some mellow and some quite steep rocky stuff here in Finland. I also do a week long bikepacking trip to mountains in Norway each summer hence the fatbike.
I would really love some suggestions for a bike. My budget is 4000 euros and would really love a steel frame that can take a beating since im a big guy and tend to carry 20kg extra weight when bikepacking.
It sounds like you'd be a perfect candidate for my bike consultation service. Patreon.com/hardtailparty
I wonder if it's heavy ?? Just kidding Steve. That is a nice rig. I want the aluminum version.
Just curious why would you want a longer dropper post? Wouldn't longer post add more weight? Oh btw amazing rock climbing!! Amazing what you can do with these mountain bikes.
yes, but weight isn't everything, or else we'd be riding rigid carbon posts, which are lbs lighter than droppers.
@@hardtailparty I'm still trying to find out what the benefits are having dropper post vs the regular... I did read that it is quick and easy to adjust the saddle height but don't know any other. Does dropper post offer flexing? Like absorbing some of the shocks? Is that why pro riders prefer dropper post? Sorry I'm still new to mountain biking. 😁
@@rockefelleragent1357 it allows you to move the saddle out of the way. You shouldn't be sitting down on descents.
I tried a 35mm stem in place of my factory 50mm stem and just hated how my bike felt with the short stem. IMO it's way easier to keep enough weight on the front wheel with a 50mm stem.
To me it depends on the bike's geometry.
@@hardtailparty Yeah, that makes sense. I have a feeling that some folks are running longer reaches than they should and to compensate they try shorter stems. Bike sizing can be really confusing these days.
Steve can you review the Nordest Britango please?!
That's up to nordest. I'd love to
@@hardtailparty I'll put a good word in for you mate! 😁
Surprised you liked this so much more than the growler 40. Maybe the new 50 would give this a better run, though it still doesn’t have a fork anywhere close to the Lyrik.
I like it 20x more than the growler. The geo is much brtter as is the ride quality. The growler feels like a barge. This feels totally in control everywhere.
@@hardtailparty oof, i just ordered the growler 50.
Do the Marzocchi's use the same tokens as Fox?
Yes. Marzocchi is owned by fox, and many of the parts are interchangeable.
Maybe a set of lighter carbon wheels would get it that missing zip it needs to be a better all-arounder.
How would you rate this compared to the Ragley Big Wig Chromo?
Very different riding bikes.
@@hardtailparty Yeah no doubt - enjoy your You Tube channel by the way. I'm a full susser at the moment but looking to build up a Hardtail to add to the fun factor - like the look of the Ragley's. I had a Norco Fluid but it was smashed by a car from behind on my rack, so changed to the Commencal Meta TR - love that bike. Torrent looks like a beast!
@@andrewhagemannarchitecture3798 sucks to hear about your smashed bike, sorry about that.
@@hardtailparty yeah still haven’t got back on the trials yet - but loving your feed. Any chance you might do a review of the RSD Middlechild AL ? Seems the only one you haven’t done? Keen to k ow if the lighter frame is a goody 👍
Trails
How does the revolver compare
Totally different genres of bikes.
👍👍👍cool
Lol, not super interested in hucks to flat either 🤣
Worst HT I have ever ridden, happy to see it go.
This vs new Chameleon?